To My Dear CUFI Family,

On Sunday, millions around the world watched the memorial service of a man of God who was tragically taken from his loving family and his heartfelt calling. For many of us, the assassination of Charlie Kirk seems unreal — as if we are waiting to awaken from a bad dream.

Diana and I were traveling in London and Jerusalem, meeting with the Jewish leadership and our CUFI UK partners, and participating in the Pilgrimage Road dedication when we received the devastating news. Like many others, we felt both shock and deep sadness. The conversation with our friends remained the same in London or Jerusalem: How could this have happened to a man of faith who was a clarion voice for the next generation?

Charlie was a loving husband, a dedicated father, a passionate patriot, a defender of Israel and the Jewish people, and a steadfast Christian. From the start of his mission, he was a voice of truth who embodied the principles on which our nation’s foundation was built. Charlie passionately accepted God’s assignment to bring America back to its Judeo-Christian values. He reached more people in the last thirteen years than most preachers do in a lifetime. As we have seen, the fruit of his efforts has impacted the entire world, including our own children and grandchildren.

In recent days, the chasm between right and wrong, dark and light, and good and evil has grown even wider. We are a nation divided. The shield of innocence guarding our children and grandchildren has been shattered as unrestrained hostility is being played out before their eyes.

But, CUFI family, do not be discouraged, not even for one moment. Never forget that we are to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:2). We will continue to follow the Lord’s command to remain steadfast in our faith and not grow weary in doing good—even in times of trouble (Galatians 6:9).

No matter how dark the day, let us never be surprised by the trials we face, for these very trials were promised to us in God’s word, but so is our total victory (James 1:2-4).

Now, more than ever, we must unite with one voice and press forward with greater conviction as we boldly defend our faith, our families, our nation, Israel, and our Jewish brothers and sisters. This is not a time to retreat—instead, we must advance, stand taller, speak louder, and take even more positive action for what we believe.

The enemy tried to silence Charlie Kirk and instead got revival. The enemies of Israel are trying to use his assassination to drive a wedge between Christians and Jews, and America and Israel. But not on our watch!

Remember this truth: For evil to flourish, it only requires good people to do nothing. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

I ask the entire Christians United for Israel family to join Diana and me in continued prayer for Charlie’s wife, Erika, and their two children as she takes the helm of Turning Point. May the Lord grant her strength and wisdom for the journey ahead. Let us find comfort in the promise of Psalm 37:18: “The Lord sees the broken in spirit, and draws near to those who cry. He mends the hurting and fills their hearts with peace.”

May God bless the Kirk family and the Turning Point team in this, their darkest hour, and may God continue to have mercy on us all.

Pastor John Hagee